By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

DESPITE the many financial challenges facing the islands, the community still showed its support for the Marianas March Against Cancer which raised $75,620 during its 12-hour fundraising event on Friday at Hopwood Junior High School.
The event, which is organized by the Commonwealth Cancer Association, aims to raise funds to help in the establishment of a cancer registry program that will provide vital information on CNMI cancer cases.
Over 2,000 individuals from families, groups and companies joined the association in honoring the over 45 cancer survivors who were treated to a special dinner by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Celia Mercado, overall committee chairwoman, said “MMAC gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors, to remember those who have lost the fight and, most importantly, to raise money and awareness for those struggling with the disease.”
Participants were encouraged to walk, run, or even dance around the course over a 12-hour period ending at dawn.
Live entertainment was provided by participating local artists.
Team Bodig was once again the top group, winning the awards for best tent, best baton and most luminaria sold — 821 candles.
The team’s baton, made of sand and shells, symbolized the “tranquility, calmness, and serenity” of the ocean with an emphasis on strength and uniqueness.
“Sand and shells are beautiful items from the ocean. They are just as beautiful as our beloved ones who have suffered or are suffering from this illness. They are treasured in our hearts as they are treasured from the ocean,” a team member said about the baton.
The team also raised the most money in the families category — $12,395.00.
Team Pacific Islands Club won the most spirit award while Team Pacific Telecom Inc./Marianas High School ran the most laps — 507.
For the most money raised, Team PIC was the highest among companies, $18,732.34; Team Hinemlo of Department of Public Health was number 1 among the government and nonprofit category, $1,133.00; Team Bodig for the families category, $12,395.00; and Whispering Palms for the schools category, $1,957.30
Named winners in the raffle drawing for the Northwest Airlines roundtrip ticket were Elly Stoilova of PIC and Waldron Ngotel of the Bank of Guam.
The event had four title sponsors: DFS Galleria, Joeten Charitable Foundation, PTI and Northwest Airlines.
Its major sponsors included Angil Design, HANMI, the Saipan Mayor’s Office, Power 99, Younis Art Studio and Shell Marianas.
The other sponsors were I-Connect Saipan, Club Barracuda, Xerox, Staywell and DHL Express.
“We are extremely grateful and appreciate these companies’ commitment to the cause,” Mercado said. “I am also extremely grateful to the MMAC committee members, of whom
99 percent were rookies, the judges, special guests, inspirational speakers, team captains, team members, volunteers, sponsors, and of course, the general public for making this 2007 MMAC possible and, a success.”
The committee also recognized the following teams for selling the most raffle tickets: PTI/MHS with 314; Team Ahu, 305; and Team Bodig, 281.